***Pittsburgh City Council, 1/24/19, 1800 (6PM)***

[Wilderness 1864]

If Pissburg with an "H" is intending to violate PA law and PA Constitution don't all PA residents have a stake and standing?

Pittsburgh has to violate a law to do this. If we can be punished for violating Pittsburgh's new laws while visiting there or traveling through, I cannot imagine that we would not have standing and certainly have a reason to be heard. If the Pittsburgh laws do not apply to non-residents, then Pittsburgh has just created a large body of protestors happy to show up carrying them. I would do that.

I was glad to be at the rally, but not going to drive the nearly 6 hours one way to probably not get to say something. Were I to, I would be making the point I just stated above.

Something tells me that we will be rallying in Pittsburgh again in some form in the not to distant future.

[Justin///M]

Breaking news! This is unexpected.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Allegheny County District Attorney says Pittsburgh City Council “does not have the authority to pass” proposed legislation to ban assault weapons in the city.

In a letter to Councilman Corey O’Connor, District Attorney Stephen Zappala says:

“As the District Attorney of Allegheny County for the past 20 years, I understand the efforts to curtail gun violence and limit the accessibility to assault weapons, ammunition, and gun accessories capable of causing widespread injury, destruction, and death. I am also aware of the city’s effort previously under Mayor Ravenstahl which was decided against the city in 2010. While I certainly see the desire for such type of legislation at the state and federal levels, I believe that City Council does not have the authority to pass such legislation.”


https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019...lation-letter/

[Walleye Hunter]

Now I got freedom wood again. Sure wish we had more E Mo G's, like a waving flag.

[God's Country]

I understand the efforts to curtail gun violence and limit the accessibility to assault weapons, ammunition, and gun accessories capable of causing widespread injury, destruction, and death.

What a drama queen.

Looks like the DA provided a much needed out for the mayor.

This will move onto the nest phase. Expected of course.


ETA:
I suppose the vote will proceed as a symbolic protest for the children.

[streaker69]

Breaking news! This is unexpected.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Allegheny County District Attorney says Pittsburgh City Council “does not have the authority to pass” proposed legislation to ban assault weapons in the city.

In a letter to Councilman Corey O’Connor, District Attorney Stephen Zappala says:

“As the District Attorney of Allegheny County for the past 20 years, I understand the efforts to curtail gun violence and limit the accessibility to assault weapons, ammunition, and gun accessories capable of causing widespread injury, destruction, and death. I am also aware of the city’s effort previously under Mayor Ravenstahl which was decided against the city in 2010. While I certainly see the desire for such type of legislation at the state and federal levels, I believe that City Council does not have the authority to pass such legislation.”


https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019...lation-letter/

The DA finally steps up, now when is the city council going to fire the city solicitor?

[BBQ_Guru]

The 3 proposals being discussed at the meeting have a goal of saving lives. Here are detailed statistics on homicide and causes of death in Pennsylvania and Allegheny County

PA Uniform Crime Report


PA Homicide by Type of Weapon, 2016
Type of Weapon Victims
Handgun 403
Rifle 10
Shotgun 12
Stabbings 70

Homicides in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh Full Report


Page3 -"Motive: In the City of Pittsburgh, the most common motive listed for homicides was arguments, followed by robbery or burglary."


Allegheny County Mortality Report

Page1 - "From 1970 through 2016, the county age-adjusted rate for intentional self-harm increased to the highest rate in recent history"

Page10 -Cause of death Allegheny County 2016
Cause of Death Number
Accidents 1004
Influenza/pneumonia 253
Suicide 178
Homicide 106


The proposal criminalizes a plastic box with a spring (sec 629.03 Large capacity Magazines). The item itself would become illegal and the penalty is per magazine - 10 magazines, 10 penalties. On its own, is an empty 30 round PMAG less dangerous than a rock found on the ground? Is it possible under current law to bring an empty large capacity magazine to the meeting?

Can lives be saved if motorcycles are banned? Nation-wide, there were 5,286 motorcycle fatalities in 2016 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

2017 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics

Page8 - "Fatalities and Injuries—Five-Year Trends"
Motorcyclist
Fatalities Year
185 2017
192 2016
179 2015
186 2014
181 2013

Why does anyone need a motorcycle when there are alternatives like cars and public transit?

[K.C.]

Fire power to help at the city council meeting.

Print out U.S. Department of Justice facts for council members and the media that criminals are the only ones who are helped by stupid legislation. Courtesy of Mark Walters from American Armed Radio.

Based on the 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates
(SPI), about 1 in 5 (21%) of all state and federal
prisoners reported that they had possessed or
carried a frearm when they committed the ofense
for which they were serving time in prison
(fgure 1)
.
More than 1 in 8 (13%) of all prisoners had used
a frearm by showing, pointing, or discharging it
during the ofense for which they were imprisoned.
Fewer than 1 in 50 (less than 2%) of all prisoners had
obtained a frearm from a retail source and possessed,
carried, or used it during the ofense for which they
were imprisoned.
An estimated 287,400 prisoners had possessed a
frearm during their ofense. Among these, more than
half (56%) had either stolen it (6%), found it at the
scene of the crime (7%), or obtained it of the street
or from the underground market (43%). Most of
the remainder (25%) had obtained it from a family
member or friend, or as a gif. Seven percent had
purchased it under their own name from a licensed
frearm dealer

LINK:
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/suficspi16.pdf

Audio of the show: https://armedamericanradio.org/show-archives/

[JustinR]

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but city announced all speakers have to register to speak before the meeting - no open floor.

[Justin///M]

Yes there's a lot of city gun owners registered. Also, due to work, I'm unable to attend the hearing to support unfortunately. I have to work 12pm to midnight on Thursday.

[lts1ow]

Well PA folks, someone get to doing some civic duty

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-storie...-me-/908283594